STUCK IN THE MIDDLE Sligo’s Eamon O’Hara is shown to the referee, Jimmy White, by Roscommon’s Seamus O’Neill during Sunday’s Connacht SFC semi-final at Dr Hyde Park. Pic: Sportsfile
Big calls make big difference
Kevin McStayI PROMISE. I really do. This is the last time this season that the column will reflect on referees, the subject of discipline (lack of) in the game and the various committees that oversee our games. Last week’s blatant disregard of the rulebook in the so-called ‘Graham Geraghty Case’ took the biscuit but the shock had hardly abated when we had to listen to our top hurling manager attempt to tear up the rulebook and the method used to assess referees.
First though let me deal with the matter of ‘unintentional fouls’ on the pitch. It is an often-used defence by managers and players but it must be pointed out that it can never be a defence.
Referees arbitrate your actions, not your intentions. After all, how is he to see into your mind and adjudicate on the outcome? You run ten steps with the ball or hop it twice in succession; ‘oops, sorry ref, I never intended to do that’.
The referee cannot allow you off the hook just because you did not intend to commit those transgressions. It would be great if we could all remember that when next we attempt to defend the indefensible.
The Referee’s Committee (Coiste na Reiteoiri), which is under the chairmanship of our own PJ McGrath, felt strongly enough about Brian Cody’s recent comments about referees and the role of the assessor, to issue a statement.
The subject was well explained and we got an insight into the number of hoops the referee must jump through in order to perform at the highest level. The match day assessment of the man in black is of course only one aspect of the process.
If he wishes to be considered an elite referee then elite standards are demanded. Principle among those standards will be knowledge of the rules (a given) and fitness. I might throw in judgement and composure also. I suppose the assessment of the referee, as he navigates his way through a big game in Croke Park, is the ultimate test of his ability. Similar to footballers, the white heat of championship will always fully test your preparation. If you take short cuts, chances are you will be exposed.
I suspect the statement came as an explanatory document in the wake of Brian Cody’s concerns about the role of the assessor. The great Kilkenny manager voiced his opinions to the assembled media in the aftermath of their Leinster hurling semi-final win over Offaly a few weeks ago. At least, for a change, it was a winning manager complaining about a subject and so sour grapes cannot be tossed in his direction.
But his argument is flawed. I hear time and time again that referees are ruining games by picking up on the ‘small things’. I take it they are nodding towards a group of infractions that come broadly under the description of technical fouls.
What is a referee to do? Ignore the fact a player has taken seven steps without playing the ball, allow him to bounce the ball more than once consecutively, pick the ball clean from the ground and kick out wide balls from the 20 metre line. These are just a few of the 37 technical fouls that are presently in the rulebook.
If there is a need to remove some of them then work the committee and lobby the authorities. But asking the referee, or indeed the assessor, to turn a blind eye is just plain daft. The basis for refereeing must be the application of ALL the rules and this must be the starting point for the assessment of his subsequent performance.
Imagine Brian’s reaction if, leading by two points in injury-time of the year’s All-Ireland final, an opponent picks the sliothar clean off the ground and lashes it to the net for the winning score. Methinks he might be a little more unhappy than at present.
Paddy Collins, recognised throughout the 80s as the best referee in the country, had a very simple method of recognising the best referees. The top refs are judged on their big decisions: a sending off that was later shown to be wrong; the award of a penalty when the foul was outside the large rectangle; a free out for a ‘square-ball’ when the goal scored was perfectly legitimate; issuing two yellows but failing to send a player off.
There are many other key moments that arise in a referee’s career and if he consistently gets these major calls right then you can take it he is at the peak of his powers. If the ref consistently errs in the major moments take it he is out of his comfort zone and should return to the club game.
Mayo seem up to the next challenge
THERE is no such thing as a well-kept secret anymore. Especially in the GAA. The mobile phone, texting and e-mailing has removed any chance a squad might have of keeping an event, an arrangement or an incident strictly within the confines of the dressing room.
If it’s Saturday it must be time for a trip to the shopping mall. Load up the car and face her for Athlone. And then the texting starts. Mayo has a challenge game in Kiltoom, could ya drop in for a peep? What is one to do? Only one thing of course: inform the wife you have a couple of urgent matters to attend to in the barracks, drop the gang off in Tescos and tear back to the venue!
Well, well, well. Some people think it’s all over but if the evidence on show when Mayo matched up with Laois is anything to base that thought on, it might yet turn out to be very wrong indeed.
In a game spanning four quarters of 20 minutes (I missed most of the fourth quarter as wife began to text about ‘urgent matters’ I was attending to) the competitive nature of this so-called ‘challenge’ match was very apparent. Mayo played really well and looked hungry and enthusiastic for the road ahead.
It would be wrong to go into the detail of the performance; the Round 1 Qualifier opposition can do that piece of homework themselves, but suffice to say you will see a reconstructed Mayo 15 when they trot out for that backdoor game.
I liked the refit and the balance achieved was impressive. The half-back line was energetic and strong while Conor Mortimer was deadly in attack.
Austin O’Malley togged also and got his customary haul of a goal and a few points before limping off and so will be asking questions over the next few weeks. David Brady and David Heaney had a good game as the midfield pairing and overall the win was well deserved. Put it this way: if Laois are only a week away from championship action and Mayo can toy with them in this way, then I would fear for the midlanders.
Mayo? To get a view of the new canvas you will have to put on the colours once more and get behind the side on the Qualifier route. Chances are you will be impressed. Now, only thing we want is a home draw and keep away from Ulster teams.
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